Flat glass shipping container

Abstract

Flat glass sheets having a rectangular shape are stacked on a piece of corrigated fiberboard cut and scored to form a closed shipping container when folded. A corner pad that (1) absorbs shock; (2) is compressible; and (3) is resilient is provided at each corner of the stack. The height of the corner pads is greater than inside depth of the container when folded so that the corner pads are compressed between the top and bottom surfaces of the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A container for shipping a stack of flat glass sheets having a generally rectangular shape wherein the width, length and height of the stack are of predetermined dimensions, comprising: a corrigated fiberboard cut and scored to a generally T-shaped configuration to include a bottom portion, sides, a top lid flap portion, a bottom lid flap portion, a right side flap portion and a left side flap portion, said bottom portion having dimensions greater than corresponding dimensions of the stack of glass sheets and the width of said sides approximately equal to the height of the stack; and   corner pad made of a resilient, compressible, shock-absorbing material positioned at the corners of said base and having a height in the uncompressed state greater than the width of said sides, and a thickness approximately equal to the difference between the corresponding dimension of the stack and of said base, said corner pads being compressed between said corresponding side flap portion and bottom portion when the container is formed from said fiberboard to unitize the stack of glass sheets.   
     
     
       2. The container as set forth in claim 1 wherein the corner pads are made of polyethylene. 
     
     
       3. A shipping container, comprising: a stack of flat frangible articles, in face-to-face relationship;   at least one resilient, compressible shock-absorbing means having a height in the uncompressed state greater than the height of said stack; and   means for receiving and completely encompassing said stack and said at least one resilient, compressible shock-absorbing means and for compressing the height of said at least one shock-absorbing means to approximately the height of said stack wherein said receiving and encompassing and compressing means comprises:   a base for supporting said stack and said at least one resilient, compressible, shock-absorbing means; and   sidewalls having a height approximately equal to the height of said stack and encompassing sides of said stack and said at least one shock-absorbing means wherein said sidewalls and said at least one shock-absorbing means prevents face-to-face displacement of the articles.   
     
     
       4. The container as set forth in claim 3 wherein the sheets have a rectangular shape and said shock-absorbing means is a corner pad positioned at each corner of said stack. 
     
     
       5. The container as set forth in claim 3 wherein the sheets have a circular shape and a plurality of said shock-absorbing means are positioned at selective spaced intervals about said stack. 
     
     
       6. The container as set forth in claim 3 wherein said at least one shock-absorbing, resilient, compressible means is made of polyethylene. 
     
     
       7. The container as set forth in claim 3 wherein said at least one shock-absorbing, resilient, compressible means is made of cork. 
     
     
       8. The container as set forth in claim 3 wherein said at least one shock-absorbing, resilient, compressible means is made of rubber. 
     
     
       9. The container as set forth in claim 3 wherein the articles are flat glass sheets. 
     
     
       10. The container as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means for receiving and completely encompassing and for compressing includes: a monolithic member cut and scored to a generally T-shaped configuration to include said base, sidewalls, a top lid flap portion, a bottom lid flap portion, a right side flap portion and a left side flap portion.   
     
     
       11. The container as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means for receiving and completely encompassing and for compressing includes: a receptacle for receiving said stack of articles, said receptacle having said base and sidewalls integral with said base, said sidewalls having a height approximately equal to the height of said stack of articles;   a lid for enclosing the articles in said receptacle wherein said at least one shock-absorbing, resilient, compressible means is compressed between said lid and said base to prevent face-to-face displacement of the articles; and   means for securing said lid on said receptacle.   
     
     
       12. The container as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means for receiving and completely encompassing and for compressing includes: a first flat member for supporting said stack and said at least one shock-absorbing means;   a second flat member positioned on top of said stack and said at least one shock-absorbing means, to form a composite;   means for completely encompassing the composite and compressing said at least one shock-absorbing, resilient, compressible means between said first and second flat member to prevent face-to-face displacement of the articles.   
     
     
       13. The container as set forth in claim 12 wherein said encompassing and compressing means includes a heat shrinkable platic sheet.